The ladies seemed stylish as they left their resorts and stepped out into the blustery climate in London, displaying no signal of nerves forward of the competitors tonight.

Stacey Dooley wore an extended coat and white jumper teamed together with her Louis Vuitton purseISO PhotosAshley Roberts left her lodge in London immediately and headed to the Strictly semi-finalISO Photos

The Pussycat Doll is paired with Pasha Kovalev on this yr’s sequence, and a few followers assume her skilled dance background within the pop group offers her an unfair benefit.

Final week host Tess Daly waded in on the row and defended her, saying: “I’m certain Ashley’s by no means carried out the Viennese waltz in her profession with The Pussycat Dolls.

Ashley has confronted criticism from followersISO PhotosLauren Steadman’s associate AJ Pritchard mentioned she need to be within the remaining, having had no earlier dance coachingISO PhotosAJ informed The Solar ‘Lauren shouldn’t be a dancer. However she’s labored so exhausting’ISO Photos

AJ Pritchard and Lauren Steadman had been noticed heading to the studio after AJ informed The Solar On-line that his associate deserves to be within the remaining, as a result of she’s by no means had skilled dance coaching.

Most of the contestants have come underneath fireplace this yr after it was revealed they’d skilled dancing expertise, together with Ashley Roberts and Faye Tozer.

Lauren, 25, nevertheless is a world champion Paralympic athlete and had no expertise of dance earlier than becoming a member of the hit BBC present.

AJ Pritchard says Lauren Steadman deserves to the in Strictly Come Dancing remaining as a result of she’s not had skilled dance coaching

//gamers.brightcove.web/5067014667001/default_default/index.min.js

Talking completely to The Solar On-line forward of the semi-final, AJ, 24, defined: “We’d not be on the high of the leaderboard due to what Lauren’s expertise is however I really feel that we join with the viewers.

“And I hope we’re on the high of the leaderboard within the public’s eyes.

“Lauren’s had her moments, she’s been on the backside of the leaderboard for 2 weeks, and she or he’ll inform me she thinks nobody needs to see her dance once more.

PA:Press Affiliation

Among the competitors’s different stars have labored as dancers earlier than[/caption]

PA:Press Affiliation

However that is the primary time world champion Paralympic athlete Lauren has danced[/caption]

DRAMA MCQUEEN

go determine

“However simply since you’re on the backside of the leaderboard, it’s in regards to the folks at residence which can be supporting you! It’s making an attempt to make use of the positives the present brings, life is just too brief. We’ve to have a look at that.

“Lauren is a world champion athlete! She’s not a dancer. However she’s labored so exhausting and she or he’s proved she’s worthy of a spot in that remaining.”

On the finish of final week’s present, which noticed Ashley saved after ending up within the dance off once more, viewers threatened to boycott the present.

//gamers.brightcove.web/5067014667001/default_default/index.min.js

Received a narrative? e mail digishowbiz@the-sun.co.uk or name us direct on 02077824220.